By Shanice Davis
Students on campus may or may not have heard of the Latter Day Saint Student Association as
they are an up and coming organization here on campus.
The official name of the LDS church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Kathleen Scott, faculty advisor of the organization, gives a snippet of insight on the LDS and of
what is to come for the future of the LDSSA.
“Our mission is to integrate the intellectual and spiritual aspects of student life at the university
by providing opportunities for students to serve, socialize and learn doctrine,” Scott said. “We
want our members to round out their education with a foundation of faith to move on into the
world as useful members of society.”
“LDS believe that God is our Heavenly Father–He knows us each individually and sent His Son,
Jesus Christ, to make up for our mistakes so that we can learn and grow and eventually return to
him,” Scott said. “We believe that God answers prayers, often in subtle ways and He is by our
side to guide us through the craziness of life.”
Serving the Lord is just a piece of what being part of the LDS community is about. In addition,
the LDS community also serves others in need.
“Mormons serve throughout the world, especially during crises such as the Haitian earthquake
and Katrina, wearing yellow T-shirts with the Helping Hands logo,” Scott said.
Locally they have an annual service day in which members clean up parks and communities; for
example, one group raked and cleaned Kit Carson Park in Escondido. The org. also provides
services on an individual level that is usually private and not advertised.
The LDSSA is about serving those in need and striving to live life as Christ would see justifiable.
Next semester when LDSSA is official, they’ll have meetings every Tuesday and Thursday
during U-hour. Getting to know one another, planning for the future of the organization, along
with discussing doctrine and church history will be among some of the topics discussed during
the meetings.
Scott said that if anyone is interested in joining LDSSA, to feel free and email her at
“We hope that students take from this experience a confidence that there is deep meaning and
purpose in life and that there is divinity in each of us,” Scott said.